In addition to creative pastries such as brioche dabbed with Biscoff, the French-trained chef and co-owner does classics made with a healthy dose of French butter.

It’s a classic milk bar, but not as you know it. Everything here is plant-based, from the serious sandwiches to country-bakery staples (like dim sims and cinnamon rolls). Plus, there are “puppacinos” for your pooch.

This panini spot takes cues from Italian paninotecas and old-world Mediterranean delis. Build your own panini or choose from classic combos such as mortadella and crushed pistachio, or prosciutto, pesto and fior di latte.

This Rathdowne Village cafe has an old soul, with a relaxed, unpretentious feel reminiscent of the pre-Instagram era. The pared-back, produce-driven menu looks different day to day.

A welcome oasis for coffee lovers in North Carlton.

A consistent neighbourhood favourite.

Enter via the front door for this low-key bar, attached to 20-seat Indian fine diner Enter Via Laundry. Helly Raichura and her team are serving more-ish snacks from past menus and “nostalgic Indian cocktails”.

From morning to night, this laid-back spot is plating a new wave of Chinese-Australian dishes. Come early for coffee and congee, or later for beef sandos and a Chinese spin on spaghetti and meatballs.

This local wine bar, set on the inner north’s most neighbourly strips, doubles as a bottle-o. Choose from more than 300 wines, beers and spirits. Or stay for a bite (think ’roo skewers and pasta with Maltese sausage sauce).

One of the city’s OG craft beer destinations, this boozer has dozens of indie brews on tap, and the beer garden is an excellent spot to work your way through them. We’d expect nothing less from a pub owned by Feral Brewing’s founder.

This storied neighbourhood bar brims with nostalgia. Vintage books, yesteryear’s wine bottles and a glimmering disco ball decorate the space.

This vintage store inside an old Melbourne terrace house sells an eclectic range of archival, designer and second-hand pieces. Discover pieces by Chloe, Miu Miu, Rick Owens and many more.

Visit this tiny bakery for knockout sweet-and-salty croissants, hazelnut pains au chocolat and asparagus and goat's curd pastries. But get in early and be prepared to queue – it almost always sells out.

This neighbourhood fishmonger sells top-quality seafood, deli items, pantry staples and a range of fish-focused takeaway meals – from salmon bagels to sashimi and nigiri lunch boxes.

Wholefoods sold with a personal touch.

If a wine is hard to find, it’s probably sold here.

An old-school butchery with a modern day ethos.

A cosy deli on leafy Rathdowne Street.

Save your skin and the planet.

It’s all about lo-fi wines and classic wine bar snacks (think cured sardines with cucumber, or grilled ox tongue with potatoes) at Brico. Soak them up in the light-filled corner bar or head to the airy courtyard out back.

Just 20 diners a night are admitted to this inimitable Indian restaurant, where owner-chef Helly Raichura cooks vibrant banquets faithful to regional Indian cuisines using top-quality local produce and native ingredients.

This cosy and retro restaurant has plenty of community charm. Come for a casual catch-up or romantic dinner date over cocktails, stay for the consistently good – nay, great – gnocchi and Italian mains.

Henry Sugar is the kind of wine bar every neighbourhood should have. It’s intimate yet communal; sophisticated yet relaxed. The mix of contemporary Australian fare, sharp cocktails and easy-drinking natural wines are a sure-fire bet your first time here won’t be the last.

Lucky’s Pizzeria in North Carlton is a sweet little pizza joint that locals love.